Latest news
House Republicans are advancing a higher education bill through the budget reconciliation process that includes 'risk-sharing' provisions, requiring colleges to pay the government for federal loans not repaid by their graduates. Supporters say this will incentivize institutions to control costs and boost student employment outcomes. However, an analysis by the American Council on Education shows that 98% of colleges would incur costs under this measure, and even with the offset of 'promise grants,' 75% of institutions would still face net losses, with historically Black colleges and universities and institutions primarily serving low-income students hit especially hard. Experts worry the policy could discourage colleges from enrolling disadvantaged students and pose significant data and administrative challenges.
The Trump administration quickly issued multiple executive orders and policy directives after taking office, attempting to revoke the civil rights of transgender and non-binary students and erase their identities, while targeting universities that support transgender inclusion. Despite risks to federal funding and Title IX investigations, legal and transgender rights experts say university leaders can still take various measures to protect these students, including providing gender-affirming care information, simplifying name change processes, strengthening mental health counseling services, and implementing gender-inclusive housing. Research shows that the mental health of transgender students varies significantly across campuses, and university policies may play a key role.
University ranking lists generally use fall-enrolled, full-time, first-time students as the data baseline, causing a large number of non-traditional students—such as those studying while working, enrolling after gaps, or learning entirely online—to be systematically overlooked in evaluation systems. The president of Colorado State University Global points out that current IPEDS and CDS metrics can only cover about half of the non-traditional student sample, making it difficult for online institutions to receive fair representation in "best college" rankings. As the labor market's demand for skill updates surges, reforming institutional performance reporting standards has become urgent.
In 2025, the number of high school graduates in the United States is expected to peak, then enter a long-term decline. Although the metaphor of a "demographic cliff" may be exaggerated, the reduction in traditional college-age students is certain. Universities can alleviate pressure through strategies such as increasing college enrollment rates, improving student retention, and attracting adult students, while also needing to address regional differences and equity issues.
During Trump's second term, the federal government's financial influence on higher education has primarily manifested as cuts in funding. Now, Republicans are pushing a plan to expand and raise the endowment tax, which could bring new financial pressures. Analysts note that if such proposals pass, they would fundamentally alter the relationship between the government and many nonprofit universities and their donors, and could have practical impacts on student aid, research projects, and institutional operations.
The Trump administration has drastically reduced the staff of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) under the U.S. Department of Education, retaining only a minimal number of employees, effectively paralyzing the agency. The layoffs affect statutory assessments such as the Nation's Report Card and international student assessment programs, sparking widespread concern in the education community about data quality and the loss of institutional knowledge. The Department of Education has stated it will reorganize related agencies, but laid-off staff and experts question the feasibility of such efforts.
Against the backdrop of increased federal pressure on higher education, outsiders question whether university presidents are silent and inactive. However, Marjorie Hass, chair of the Council of Independent Colleges, based on frontline observations, points out that presidents are actively resisting through various means such as refusing to preemptively comply, legal challenges, and legislative lobbying, with strategies focused more on effectiveness than on public statements.
After returning to the White House, Trump quickly signed multiple executive orders, from combating campus antisemitism, tightening immigration enforcement, abolishing DEI programs, to redefining gender. These policies are bringing unprecedented compliance pressure and uncertainty to U.S. colleges and universities. Based on public documents and expert opinions, this article analyzes the specific impacts of four core actions on higher education in 2025.
In 2025, the U.S. higher education sector may undergo significant changes due to court rulings. This article outlines five notable cases to watch, including DACA, borrower defense, academic publishing antitrust, gainful employment regulations, and the FTC lawsuit against Grand Canyon Education.
